Centaurus A Image

Staff: Mentor

There's some noise I didn't get out of this image prior to color processing, but for some reason I'm having trouble getting a good color picture on my 2nd try at the processing, so I decided to upload this one for now.
Link to full resolution: http://www.astrobin.com/full/172655/0/

Are those four bright blips in the image - an orange one on the bottom left side and another on the left, along with 2 yellowish one on the bottom and the bottom right side - quasars? They look exceptionally bright and stand out in the background.

Staff: Mentor

I edited my post to better explain their spatial configuration in the image. By "blips", I mean they are brighter and bigger in radii than other bright spots in the background. They're bright enough that you can see about 4 pointed light ray sections extending out from the center of the spot.

I can't tell if the orange ones are red supergiants or massive stars with their light being redshifted to a high degree (that is, if they're not receding quasars). I've often had this problem of telling the difference when I see something reddish/bluish in these kind of images.

Staff: Mentor

They are just bright foreground stars. Don't try to pick up too much info from the color. Reproducing an accurate color with astronomical imaging is not easy and not something I usually try to shoot for. (I'm more concerned with gathering enough exposure time to get a good quality image)

Okay, but in general if one is given an accurate color/wavelength picture, is there is no way to differentiate between the two causes for the observed color? I remember I had a very lengthy discussion in class on this when our physics teacher showed us an image of a region where a black hole is believed to be present taken by NASA with the different frequencies of EM radiation emitted labelled. If the answer is not very simple, then I'll make a new thread - I don't want take this one off course.

Centaurus A is the next one on my list to capture, and with a 400 mm telephoto, it isn't going to look that good, of course.

got Omega Centauri last weekend, will post it in it's own thread in a few minutes ... the 2 objects are not far apart, less than a handspan, I just ran out of time the other nite with the clouds coming in

Staff: Mentor

For that telescope about 100 USD for an hour of imaging time. But the company had a returning customer special where they'd give you triple points (which are then spent on imaging time on the telescopes) if you came back and signed up for an imaging plan. Ended getting about 800 dollars worth of points for 1/3 the normal price. The price per hour is different for each telescope and is also reduced if the moon is up and over 50% illuminated. Above 75% illumination all the telescopes are at half-price, which makes it prime time for narrowband imaging. I've actually got a narrowband image of the Carina Nebula that just needs some sulfur-II data and it will be done.